How to Clean Grout

Clean grout not only looks better, but if it’s truly dirty, it can be unsanitary. Whether on your bathroom floors by the toilet or in your kitchen where you prepare your food, having clean grout is a hygiene basic. 

However, in a busy household, it can be difficult to keep up with - especially with white or lighter-colored grout. Obviously, the lighter the color, the easier dark dirt or stains will show. 

Even if you’re wiping down your kitchen counters every night or mopping your floors once a week, eventually those techniques won’t cut it. Instead, try some of our tips below to ensure your grout not only looks clean, but is clean. 

What is Grout? 

Of course, while we all know that grout is the hard substance in between tiles, understanding what it is actually comprised of makes cleaning (and keeping it clean) easier. 

Grout is usually made from a mixture of water, cement, and sand - which makes it porous. This is why it’s able to be stained and discolored. Even if you seal your grout, liquids can still penetrate the seal, leading to mildew, rotting, and cracking. 

Common Grout Stains

For the most part, grout stains can all be cleaned with the same treatment, but there may be instances where a different cleaning approach will be more effective. For that reason, it’s important to be familiar with common stain types. 

Dirt

Dirt is the most obvious stain category and we typically see this in high traffic areas. Front doors, mud rooms, and other rooms with high foot traffic are prone to dirty grout. 

You may notice dirty grout more quickly if you leave your shoes on in your house or don’t keep up with a routine floor cleaning schedule. 

Mildew

Frequently found in bathrooms around sinks, bathtubs, and showers, mildew in grout can appear in many colors - including red. Mildew results from standing water (remember grout is porous!) and moist environments. 

Besides regular cleaning, keeping your grout as dry as possible by wiping down the floor after a bath or shower will help prevent mildew from growing. 

Soap Scum

If you have tile in your shower, on your bathroom counter, or on a bathtub surround, you may be faced with grout stained by soap scum. Soap scum has a waxy consistency and the oil in the soap is what stains the grout. 

Similarly to avoiding mildew stains, to avoid stains caused by soap scum, wipe your floor and around your bathtub after you bathe to keep it dry and prevent soap from sitting on the grout. 

Bonus: Learn how to make your bathtub white again on our blog! 

Food Stains

Most commonly seen on kitchen counters - especially by the stove and sink - and kitchen floors, food stains take on a variety of colors and intensities. For example, a dark food or drink like red wine will leave a vibrant grout stain, even if it’s only left for a few minutes. 

However, don’t neglect cleaning up food particles and spills from non-colorful foods! With time, any food can stain your grout. 

How to Clean Grout

Cleaning grout isn’t difficult, but it can be time-consuming. You’ll need a grout cleaner and a soft-bristled brush or old toothbrush. While you can purchase a grout cleaner, many homeowners find success with homemade ones using baking soda, vinegar, or hydrogen peroxide. 

• Baking Soda Paste: Mix baking soda with water to form a paste.
• Vinegar Solution: Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water.
• Hydrogen Peroxide: For tougher stains, use hydrogen peroxide directly.

Before applying your cleanser, make sure you sweep or vacuum any loose dirt or debris so that you don’t accidentally grind in any other dirt. Then you’ll want to apply your cleaning solution and let it sit for about 10-15 minutes (this applies to all solutions mentioned above). 

After your cleaning solution has penetrated the grout, it’s time to scrub. You can take your leftover cleaning solution or water and work it in as you scrub. Then rinse away the cleanser using a sponge and water. 

Depending on the severity of the staining, you may need to repeat this process multiple times. 

Deep cleaning your grout should be done at least twice a year, but if the area is high-trafficked, you may need to deep clean more frequently. In between these deep cleanings, make sure you pay special attention to cleaning your grout with your typical counter or floor cleaning solution during your regular cleanings. 

We understand that maintaining a clean home can be overwhelming and that cleaning grout can be especially time-consuming. If you’re in the Houston area, the Cleandae team can take one more chore off your plate with our one-time or recurring cleaning services. Schedule your service today!